So I kept seeing these Art Nouveau Tarot cards pop up on my feed, and honestly, I was just curious. They looked way different from the classic Rider-Waite deck my aunt has. The artwork was all flowy and nature-y, with these beautiful ladies and intricate lines. I figured, why not give it a shot myself?
Starting with the Basics
First thing I did was just look it up. I mean, what even is Art Nouveau? Turns out it’s this old art style from like a hundred years ago. Then I had to figure out what makes an “Art Nouveau Tarot” deck special. It’s basically a tarot deck that uses that style for all the pictures. The symbols are the same as a normal tarot deck, but they’re dressed up in this really pretty, vintage-looking art.
Getting My Hands on a Deck
I didn’t want to spend a ton of money right away, so I found a used one online for a decent price. When it arrived, the box was a bit dented, but the cards were perfect. The first thing I noticed was how smooth they felt. I just sat at my kitchen table and went through each card one by one. The Major Arcana cards were stunning—The High Priestess looks like she’s in a stained-glass window, and The Star has this peaceful vibe I really liked.
My First Few Attempts
I’ll be honest, my first try was a mess. I did a simple three-card spread (past, present, future) for myself. I shuffled the cards like I saw people do in videos, but I dropped half of them on the floor. It was not graceful. I picked them up, tried to focus, and laid out three cards. I had no idea what they meant together. I had to keep the little guidebook that came with the deck open the whole time. I was basically just reading the book aloud to myself.
Sticking With It
I decided to make it a little habit. Every morning with my coffee, I’d pull just one card. I wouldn’t ask a big question, just something like, “What’s the energy for today?” Then I’d look at the card and read about it. After a week, I started to remember what some of the cards meant without the book. The Art Nouveau style actually helped because the images are so distinct. Like, The Empress card is surrounded by vines and flowers, so it’s easy to remember it’s about abundance and nature.
Where I’m At Now
I’m definitely still a beginner, but it’s starting to click. The key for me was to stop trying to be perfect and just play with the cards. I still use the guidebook a lot, but now I also just look at the pictures and see what feelings or thoughts come up. The Art Nouveau art makes it feel less intimidating and more like looking at a beautiful storybook. It’s become a nice, quiet part of my day.
So, if you’re thinking about trying it:
- Just get a deck that you think looks nice.
- Don’t worry about being an expert.
- Use the guidebook like a cheat sheet.
- Let the pictures tell you a story.
It’s really that simple to get started. You just have to dive in and be okay with being a little clumsy at first.
